It took me 38 years to figure out that I need to be working with my hands every day.

I studied journalism at Northwestern and pursued a career in magazine editing in New York, but I never felt I was truly myself all those years. I’d always had creative hobbies—painting, interior design, knitting—but they were always just hobbies. And I’d always felt an enormous, guilt-driven responsibility to continue with my journalism career. It was my job, after all. I had gone to an expensive college to pursue it. How could I waste my professional contacts?

Then one Christmas I decided to make jewelry for gifts, and I couldn’t believe how much fun it was. I was thrilled to get positive feedback from my friends and family members, who told me that I had a knack for it, and that I should consider selling my designs online. Of course, my first instinct was to say, “I can’t do that.” There’s such a glut of jewelry in the market. What could I possibly contribute? But the more I thought about it, the more excited I became.

Once I decided to officially pursue my own jewelry business, friends bent over backwards to help me. My friend Kathleen’s husband, David Maloney (www.ocomolo.com), generously offered to design and manage my web site. Through David I met a fabulous local photographer, Catherine Kiernan, who offered to barter with me. (Thank you for your support, Catherine!) Another friend, Jen Hurley, also takes fabulous pictures for me. And I’m grateful to all my delightful, good-natured friends who have agreed time and again to be my models, devoting big parts of their day to smiling for the camera. Some of these dear people have even offered to host jewelry parties to get the word out. Thank you!

I feel lucky that it only took me 38 years to figure out that true joy—for me—comes from working with my hands. What a simple thing that is! It’s not rocket science! And yet for so many years I had ignored this creative compulsion in myself and tossed it aside to the relegated “hobby” pile. I thank God that I had the courage to look at myself and re-evaluate my goals. I thank God that I felt brave enough to pursue this dream, despite the fact that it’s a “long shot.”

When wise people say it’s the journey, not the destination, I finally get it! Every day I feel such joy as I sit at my dining room table and create jewelry. There is joy in every step of the process! I’m not sure where it will lead. I do have a few long-term goals. I’d love to be able to donate a portion of my profits to a special need. (I’m still working on the profit part!) But I truly believe that by pursuing something you love, and infusing everything you do with love, you will bring out the best in yourself and others, and ultimately bring good to the world.

Magazine editor turned jewelry designer, Jen Conroy claims, “A weight lifted when I decided to pursue this creative side of myself ~ it felt like a whole new world opened up.” Find out how she decided to make the switch and be able to say, “It’s such a joy to get up and look forward to going to work….I feel I’m more myself living authentically for the first time in my life!”

Her close friend, Pam Davies, is on a similar yet different journey. Leaving her graphic design business and going back to school to become a therapist, Pam warns, “As you get older, you realize life is short and if you don’t do what’s making you happy, it’s going to be gone.” Not an easy process, Pam took time to examine her

Pam Davies

life, her values and her fears and is finally finding joy. “When you walk through the fear and experience it then there’s the joy. I’m opening my heart…taking risks…and doors keep opening for me. It does feel joyful!”

Barb talks about career makeovers on Better TV with Carolyn Kepcher, best known as Donald Trump’s right hand woman on the original Apprentice shows. Now Carolyn heads WorkHerWay.com which provides answers and resources to working women everywhere about changing jobs, dissatisfaction in the work place, starting new businesses and so much more.

Hear how Deb Gillap-Bassler sought Barb’s coaching expertise and quickly found her way to a dream career in kitchen and bath design.

“How can I leave my job?” became “How can I stay?” when Deb Gillap-Bassler realized she needed a career change. Here’s Deb’s story of how she followed her passion …

Wow! I often think my life has been incredible. I have tried and enjoyed many occupations from fitness instructor to personal chef, marketing executive to interior designer, with an office overlooking the Statue of Liberty to a bullpen shared by 100+. The good, the bad, the ugly. It’s been really hard work because the pursuit to create the life I’ve always wanted has finally paid off.

I fell into marketing, suggested by a headhunter. With no other clear path and a good salary, why not try it? But it took so much work for me to be okay at it. Recognized for my loyalty and commitment, I still never really measured up with my peers. I was forever the square peg in the round hole.

A decade into my marketing career, I was still struggling with my role there and a lack of inner comfort in performing the job well. My job paid for the American dream - a house, a nice car, savings, etc., how could I leave? But the question clearly became, “How can I stay?” Read more